The Minister of Transport and Minister of Education and Higher Education launched the first group of electric school buses in Qatar. This event happened at the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum. Many officials from Qatar’s transportation industry were there.

The Minister of Transport said, “We launched the first group of electric school buses for the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.” He also said that all buses running on Qatar’s roads, including school buses and public transport buses, are eco-friendly because they use the best types of fuel, Euro 5 and above.

Karwa (Mowasalat) will test these electric buses this academic year as part of their campaign to teach schoolchildren about e-mobility. This aligns with the Ministry of Transport’s plans and strategies for sustainability and a green and clean environment for future generations.

These electric buses have added safety features that meet the highest global standards. They also use the latest global technologies. One feature ensures that the driver cannot leave any child on the bus. The buses also have surveillance cameras inside and outside, safe seating for passengers, an emergency exit, and clear visibility for the driver and passengers.

Each electric bus also has an automatic firefighting system, a good air conditioner, safety locks on doors with a sensor system, first-aid boxes, engine sensor systems, external sensors, a GPS, and a system to monitor the driver’s performance.

The Minister of Transport said that 73% of public buses in Qatar were electric in the first quarter of 2024. The plan is on track to make 100% of Qatar’s public bus fleet electric by 2030.

The Minister said, “The initiative aims to make Qatar one of the top countries in achieving zero emission in transportation, in line with Qatar’s National Environment and Climate Change Strategy.”

He was speaking at the opening session of the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum at the Qatar National Convention Center. The forum is hosted by the Ministry of Transport and organized by Just Us & Otto Marketing Services.

The Minister also announced that the Ministry of Transport will soon set up a center to inspect and test how well electric vehicles’ specifications meet the standards approved in Qatar, as well as issue certifications. This will support Qatar’s goal of becoming a major hub for electric vehicles in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The Minister said the center will approve Qatar’s specifications and requirements for electric vehicles to ensure safety and security.

In his speech, the Minister stressed that Qatar, under the leadership of the Amir, will continue developing a coherent, sustainable, integrated, and eco-friendly transportation system that enhances Qatar’s leading position in green and smart transportation.

He said Qatar will share its expertise in this field through its real-life experiences of hosting major events, where transportation is a key success factor.

The Minister mentioned that during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, around 3.4 million fans were transported by buses, and about 6.5 million fans used the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram. During the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, around 18.2 million people were transported by the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, and over 7 million passengers were transported by public buses.

The Minister said that in line with the Qatar National Development Strategy’s goals of harnessing advanced technology and achieving sustainable development and economic diversification, the Ministry continues its efforts related to the Autonomous Vehicle Strategy by facilitating autonomous vehicles’ operations, managing their fleet, and ensuring operator and vehicle safety.

The Minister affirmed making every effort to enhance the transportation system, promote investment in the field, support other industries, and leave a legacy for future generations.

The Minister then inaugurated and toured the exhibition, where they were briefed on the latest technology trends and innovations in driverless and e-mobility. The Minister and other ministers also experienced riding in an autonomous electric bus equipped with sensors, cameras, laser sensors, and ultrasonic radar for safety and security.

On the first day of the forum, there were panel discussions on topics such as designing smart cities, accelerating innovation in autonomous mobility, balancing mobility, energy, and environment, and introducing Qatar’s first eco-friendly trucks.

Source: The Peninsula